Zen Girl's Guide to BAJA

Baja Mexico is one of my favorite places in the World. With its miles and miles of wild coastline, to it's rugged mountaintops, to the hustle and bustle of mini-cities like Rosarito and Ensenada, Baja California Norte truly has something for everyone. The crown jewel of the region, in my opinion, is the up-and-coming wine country known as Valle de Guadalupe. I've been exploring Baja since 2008, starting out as a weekend visitor, searching for the best tacos and waves south of the border. As my interests evolved over the years, my travels took me deeper into knowing Baja on a more intimate level, seeing its beauty in many different forms. In 2014, I started bringing groups of people down to experience 3-day yoga and adventure retreats, where I finally had the opportunity to show off my favorite local spots and support my favorite local business owners. 

Baja holds such a special place in my heart. This year, I hope you release any fears you have about traveling south of the border and take time to get to know this magical place. Here is a compilation of most of the travel guides I've written about Baja so you can get some insider tips and tricks for your next trip!

For more on my BAJA MEXICO adventures, check out these posts -- 

• Zen Girl's Guide to Valle de Guadalupe 
• Best Brunch in Baja
• Vino and Vinyasa -- What to expect from a Baja Yoga Retreat
• 72 Hours in Baja: How to pull off the Best Baja Birthday Bash
• Baja Bachelorette -- Final Fiesta South of the Border
• Reflections in Baja: Giving back, south of the border
• 12 Hours in Tijuana

Zen Girl's Guide to Cuba

Wow. What an experience! We've been back from Cuba for 3 weeks now and whenever people ask me what the country was like, the word interesting always tumbles out of my mouth. Havana was the most visually and intellectually stimulating place I've traveled to in a long time. People often describe Cuba as frozen in time and for the most part, it definitely had that museum-like vibe. 

For a quick history lesson: Relations with the US were crumbing towards the end of the 1950s, we stopped providing financial aid to Cuba in 1961 and the official embargo prohibiting all US imports was fully in effect by 1962. 

Meaning that any "American" items you see in Cuba (up until just a few years ago when relations started to normalize) are literally relics, carefully and lovingly preserved for the past 50+ YEARS! That blew my mind! Which explains all the cool, old-school cars. Most of the taxis and personal cars of locals are the 1955 and 1956 Cheverolet Bel Airs. Can you imagine still having your Grandfather's car in the family (using it as your primary vehicle) and bartering for leftover parts from other cars and even tractors to keep it running?! And these cars were pristine. Fresh paint jobs, new upholstery.... you could feel the love they put into their belongings there because there was literally no other option. Amazing. I'm totally not a car person by nature, but what it symbolized spoke volumes to me. 

With its multi-layered, complicated history and relationship with the United States, I was of course curious about how they would treat us "Americans". Surprisingly, the locals were not even phased. Cuba has been closed off to the US (and vice versa) for almost 60 years now, but has kept normal relations with almost every other country in the world. In downtown Havana, there were huge plazas and cathedrals that had a very European influence. Restaurants had infusions of flavors from neighboring Caribbean islands. African culture is evident in the music and roots of most Cubans. While we Americans have this idea of it being a closed-off bubble, it actually felt very much like a global melting pot. The architecture, building and roads are where it feels frozen in time. Crumbling, yet sufficient. 

There's an over-arching joy and kindness that surprised me about the Cuban people. Always smiling and welcoming, despite knowing that they are at a turning point in history, where once the flood gates from America truly open up, they will be inundated with visitors. Even with this knowledge, there was a general warmth and gratitude for our presence. Definitely no bad vibes against Americans that we experienced, at all! 

Luckily, we had the expert tour guide in our corner. "Havana Lana" aka my Auntie Lana from Halifax Canada who has spent a few months a year in Cuba for the last 10+ years invited us down for a visit. My husband's parents had Cuba on their travel bucket list as well, so we all joined forced and met for a week of exploring this forbidden country.

A few girlfriends have since asked me if it's safe for a girls trip. Yes, absolutely! A few things that amazed me were how safe, clean, and healthy the country felt. I think a girls trip is totally OK and would be an awesome adventure! We traveled with my baby girl Luna in tow, who was only 7 months old at the time. The Cuban people absolutely adored her!

For the ideal Cuban experience, if you want to cover all bases of educational, relaxing, and adventurous, I would spend 5 days in Old Havana and 4 or 5 days enjoying the beaches of Varadero, Cienfuegos, and Cayo Coco. And if you're into it, there's also a really cool countryside area called Valle de Vinales where you can go horseback riding through tobacco farms and learn the art of rolling their famous cigars.

Here are my favorite photos from our Cuban Adventure, and be sure to scroll all the way to the bottom for a list of my favorite restaurants and not-to-miss places in Havana!

Havana Vieja ~ Old Havana

• Classic Car Convertible Tour: yes, it’s touristy but it was so much fun and such a highlight – also a great way to see the city. We did the four hour option with an English speaking guide and it was worth every penny. If you do 4 hours you go to Fusterlandia Art Gallery located out of town – it was fun and funky art space.
  
• Night out at Fabrica de Arte Cubano (FAC): Located in Vedado neighborhood of Havana. A huge multi-purpose art space with galleries, stage for performances, DJs, theater, and bars. Open only Thursday - Sunday.
  
• Dinner at El Cocinero: right next to FAC in Vedado, must have a reservation. Get a table on the rooftop terrace. Best plan is to make a dinner reso here for 7 or 8pm, then head next door to FAC for drinks after.
  
• La Guarida: a classic fancy dinner spot, nice if you want to splurge. Very popular, for a reason! Must have a reservation.
  
• Castro Pol: restaurant on the famous malecon as you leave/enter downtown Havana. Perfect location for a long lazy siesta or dinner with a sunset view.
  
• 1830 Bar (Mil Ocho in Vedado): Gorgeous restaurant, literally ocean front! Open-air Salsa bar with a live band and then DJ some nights. Not to be missed!
  
• 304 O’Reilly: My husband, baby Luna and I stopped in here for tapas and mojitos in the middle of a long day walking around Old Havana. Perfect location in the middle of everything. Tightly packed restaurant resembling an English pub. Definitely no room for a stroller or baby gear but the staff was so nice and made room for us :)

Other great spots that came highly recommended to us 

Shout out to Christine Seisun and Lis Meyers for these super helpful lists! Gracias chicas! 

• Habana Mia 7 (restaurant in Vedado)
• Museo del Chocolate
• Sia Kara for cocktails
• Museum of the Revolution
• Clandestina: boutique and art store
• Havana Club store in Old Havana: do a tour of how they make rum and taste test!
• Casa Del Musica: classic Cuban salsa and live music spot, not to be missed! Ask a taxi driver to take you to the one in Miramar.
• Sunset stroll on the Malecon! Lots of Cubans come out to enjoy the sunset. Also a fun nighttime walk. People will be drinking and playing music – an unforgettable experience. 

If you need help planning your Cuba Adventure

Especially if traveling in a group from the US, contact my Aunt Lana via her website.

She specializes in corporate training and team-building, and sustainable Edu-tourism in Cuba, and can assist you with the proper government forms needed and/or help you book out your itinerary. 

New Years Yoga Retreat 2016 Recap

What happens when you invite 16 women to meet you in the jungle for 5 days of self-work, reflection, movement, breath and release, all during the sacred time when one year ends and the next begins? You get fireworks for the soul!

 Our second annual New Years Yoga Retreat in Sayulita, Mexico just wrapped up and it is hard to put into words what this experience meant to me. So much deep, truly healing work happened here. Years of unresolved inner conflict and pain was allowed to be brought to the surface and given permission to be let go. Sometimes, more than anything else, that is simply exactly what we need. Permission. An invitation to show up as your true, authentic self. Without judgement or expectations. 

When is the last time you sat in a room with 18 faces staring back at you with nothing but pure love and acceptance? Where you felt 100% safe to speak your truth and be received with warm hugs and understanding . . . 

Let's face it -- life is hard. It knocks us down and very rarely gives us the tools to know how to properly get back up. As women in this westernized, modern world, we are not taught rituals or traditions, nor do we grow up with ceremonies marking important female milestones in our lives. We are taught to grow up fast, dislike our bodies, be inconvenienced by our menstrual cycles, aggressively pursue our careers and push our emotions aside. When we are not taught how to appropriately tap into our emotions, we silence an important part of our female power -- our intuition. 

Our intuitive minds guide us in life, through challenges, away from danger, towards our truth and highest self. Now more than ever, it is beyond important - it has become imperative to our growth as women that we take pauses from life every now and then to unplug from the pressure and reconnect with our intuitive selves. The mind, the body, the soul, the heart. When properly taken care of, nurtured, supported, and nourished, it can give us all the answers we need to know. No more looking on the outside. For once, we can finally hear our own voice and know the right path to take. 

I am beyond proud of the 16 women who showed up to do this important work.  With the powerful Jade Alectra and inspiring Jenny Niezgoda as my fellow teachers on this yoga retreat, we were able to hold space for and witness some truly major breakthroughs. The Temazcal (tribal sweat lodge) ceremony on December 31st was the spiritual catalyst that allowed us all to look our fears right in the face and push through. The jungle hike on New Years Day gave us important moments of silence, and equally important moments of divine connection with each other. All in all, my heart feels fuller than before, my purpose is so much more clearly defined, and my commitment to helping all the women in my life (including myself + my daughter) shine has never been stronger.

Here is a video re-cap of one of the most powerful weeks of my life. #WomanPoetryRetreat
If the embedded video below isn't loading, use this link instead

Best Brunch in Baja!

After brunching in Baja at least once a month for the past 7 years, I've finally found my dream Sunday spot! Conveniently located only 24 kilometers (about 15 minutes) south of the border, Mi Casa Supper Club is my go-to place to take yoga retreat groups, bachelorette parties, and my own family and friends. Everyone I've ever taken leaves feeling so relaxed, well-fed, and overall impressed with the quality of service, attention to detail, creativity and love poured into every dish. 

This past Sunday, I celebrated my 30th birthday with a beautiful brunch here with 12 of my closest friends. Handmade bloody marys, fresh-squeezed mimosas, local oysters, smoked salmon dishes, and delicious locally grown summer salads were happily circulating the table. Possibly the thing I love most about Mi Casa is that every detail is intentional. The minute you walk in, you feel like a Queen. The oversized luxurious Balinese furniture mixed with relaxed, oceanfront Baja energy is the perfect combination. Owner and Head Chef Bo Bendana Sein has a way of fusing worlds together that just works. She takes her Moroccan roots, mixes in some European flair, and pays tribute to her new home of Baja Mexico in a way that can only be understood if you feel it in person. Put this place on your Summer 2016 Bucket List! In the two short years since the restaurant's grand opening, they've received so much buzz that this place won't be a secret much longer. 

Chef Bo has created such a beautiful, welcoming space and inspiring, innovative menu that keeps drawing me back month after month. Something was tugging at me to learn more about her and the journey she's taken to get to this place. Read my interview with Chef Bo Bendana Sein below...

Celebrating my 30th birthday brunch at Mi Casa - June 2016

Smoked Salmon puff pastry, fromage blanc, flying fish caviar, pickled red, pink and golden beets, capers,
cornichon pickles with an apple celery salad and home made vinaigrette

San Quintin Baja Gigamoto Oysters with Chili Ginger, Seaweed Salad, Champagne Vinegar sauce & Flying Fish Caviar.

Meet Head Chef, Founder, Creator of Mi Casa Supper Club, Bo Bendana Sein!

1) Where are you from and what did you do in a past life? (before Mi Casa)

I was born in Morocco and grew up mostly in Casablanca before moving to New York City to pursue a career in Interior Design where I attended the Fashion Institute of Technology.

Mi Casa Supper Club was born as a private underground club where members would make reservations to a monthly dinner at my ocean front home in Baja. I would create and cook a 7 to 8 course menus for 30 to 50 people inspired by Moroccan and Mexican cuisine we call Moroxican.

2) When did you decide to open Mi Casa and why?

My intention was to create a social gastro club for our friends and people like us who crave a place where they are treated like royalty, surrounded by fine furnishing and unique art while dinning on a cuisine that captures the essence and flavors of Baja while fused with Moroccan recipes. When we started getting phone calls and emails from people in Vegas, Arizona and Europe asking how to join our club, we realized that Mi Casa Supper Club was no longer a secret! To keep our privacy but keep our members happy we closed our home to the public and build Mi Casa Supper Club in July 2014. We tried to duplicate our living room and keep the same warmth and the feeling of dinning in a home verses a restaurant so we went back to Bali, Indonesia and found the same artist we used in hour home and brought back a container of carved stone, tile, wood carvings, sculptures, light fixtures, etc. So the restaurant reflects our love for Baja, Bali and everything eclectic and coastal!

3) What 5 words would you use to describe your unique restaurant?

Eclectic Elegance, Moroccan Mexican Fusion

4) What is your biggest challenge AND what is your biggest joy of living and working in Baja, Mexico?

Being creative is what keeps my body moving and my mind focused on what brings me joy verses my daily battle with Rheumatoid Arthritis. Many mornings, I struggle with getting out of bed due to inflammation and joint stiffness. I am 43 years old with energy of a 23 year old but often my body feels like a 70+ years old, LOL! :)

Living in Baja is a very laid-back style of living where you don't have to ever feel rushed. There is less pressure and less expectations. People come down to northern Baja to rejuvenate, to heal, to escape the hustle and bustle of US living and Dennis (my husband) and I are a perfect example. We could open our restaurant 7 days a week and probably make a fortune but that would mean we'll have to sacrifice our time with our kids, family and friends so instead we chose a more moderate life style, with a lower cost of living, so we only open the restaurant 4 days a week. We close one month a year so we don't miss out on living a fun, balanced life.

5) Speaking of balance, how do you juggle being a wife, mama, creative artist, and business woman? Any tips or tricks you've learned along the way?

I delegate and I am not shy to ask for help! I have a nanny that's been with me since the birth of my children who allows me to spend quality time with my family instead of time spent cleaning the house or squeezing oranges for my kids everyday. My husband loves being a dad and he has a tremendous amount of patience for our little ones but when I need ME time, I ask. I don't wait for him to offer and he does the same!

My husband and I love our independence, he loves to write and I love to cook and garden so every morning we discus our plans for the day and how to work around our kids schedule because time with our kids is priceless and irreplaceable, so they always come first.

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Currently, Mi Casa is nominated for the prestigious 100 Not-to-be Missed Restaurants in Mexico and is a key contributor to the highly-anticapted annual event, Sabor de Baja, happening August 31, 2016 where Chef Bo hosts her famous all-white party.  To keep up with their seasonal menu and special dinner parties, be sure to follow Mi Casa Supper Club on Facebook. 

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For more on my BAJA MEXICO adventures, check out these past posts -- 

• Baja Bachelorette -- Final Fiesta South of the Border
• Zen Girl's Guide to Valle de Guadalupe 
• Vino and Vinyasa -- What to expect from a Baja Yoga Retreat
• 72 Hours in Baja: How to pull off the Best Baja Birthday Bash
• Reflections in Baja: Giving back, south of the border

Wild + Free Retreat

Welcome to the Wild + Free Retreat! A one day, all inclusive experience designed to stimulate creativity and connection on all levels -- mind, body, and soul.

SUNDAY MAY 29.  1 - 8 PM.   ENCINITAS, CALIFORNIA

Hosted by:   Mandy Burstein //  Jade Alectra //  Jenny Niezgoda

This mini-retreat is lovingly designed to help busy women harness the healing power of ancient wisdom within their modern lives. Through movement, creative expression, sound and food healing, this will be an educational, inspirational day of activation of all your senses. You will be radiating at the highest frequency by the culmination of our time together. Due to the intimate nature of this gathering, it is limited to only 20 women who are ready to escape, collaborate, and spark a new fire in their lives.

Get your ticket here: https://guestlistapp.com/events/417081

We've selected 3 ultra-inspiring locations in Encinitas, California to create a well-rounded, holistic experience. Here's the retreat itinerary of what you can expect:  

1 - 3pm:  Yoga, meditation, sound healing and goddess circle at Sea Vibes Yoga, guided by Mandy Burstein and Jade Alectra in their signature "Woman Poetry" teaching style. Expect a deeply cleansing and healing journey into yourself to help reveal the most beautiful version of you.

3 -  4pm:  Post-yoga kombucha toast, meet-and-greet, and raffle of some of our favorite items from local artisans in the SeaVibes boutique.  

4 -  5pm:  Walk over to the Meditations Gardens at Swami's Self Realization Fellowship. At this world-famous sanctuary space overlooking the ocean, we will guide you through a journaling exercise building on the themes from the yoga class.

5 - 8pm: Gourmet picnic dinner on the beach. Inspired food healer Jenny Niezgoda will indulge you with a gorgeous locally-sourced, organic feast, in collaboration with Farm to Fork Catering. During our time on the beach, we will cultivate conversation to allow you to flow into deeper connection with your new friends while learning even more about yourself in the process. As the sun goes down and our taste buds are fully satisfied, we will transition into a sunset bonfire ceremony, once and for all releasing into the flames what needs to be released, and enjoy a final celebratory toast to a beautiful, divinely feminine day together.

don't miss out on this chance to unplug, tap into your inner goddess, and connect with other women! 

get your ticket here: https://guestlistapp.com/events/417081